ANSIfied Amsterdam Compiler Kit

cvs2hg cf1a80ecb6 fixup commit for tag 'release-5-6' 19 years ago
bin 87d67255d9 Added filter for TARGETHOME, needed for man pages that include an include-file 29 years ago
distr 754267f0bd Added new mkdist tool. 19 years ago
doc 5c8a5ed523 Added LLgen_NCER.n to the distribution because the makefile seems to want it. 19 years ago
emtest 9bc8c07deb Replaced references to /usr/tmp with references to /tmp. 19 years ago
etc 5c83e7dbb5 Header --> Id 30 years ago
fast c3855160fb use stdarg when compiling with ANSI C compiler 29 years ago
fcc b9a67e72ca use stdarg when compiling with ANSI C compiler 29 years ago
first 9bc8c07deb Replaced references to /usr/tmp with references to /tmp. 19 years ago
h 5c83e7dbb5 Header --> Id 30 years ago
include 1db6a3029b Header --> Id 30 years ago
lang 9bc8c07deb Replaced references to /usr/tmp with references to /tmp. 19 years ago
lib cf1a80ecb6 fixup commit for tag 'release-5-6' 19 years ago
mach cf1a80ecb6 fixup commit for tag 'release-5-6' 19 years ago
man 1db6a3029b Header --> Id 30 years ago
modules 2c66222509 Fixed bug: flt_div should not touch e1 27 years ago
util f2046954e6 Cleaned up the struct sgtty workaround and made it more generic. 19 years ago
.distr e8b47b4745 Added some new readmes at the top level. 19 years ago
Action 134da2750b Added modules/h 30 years ago
Copyright a56d81ea51 new copyright notice in repository 19 years ago
NEW e8b47b4745 Added some new readmes at the top level. 19 years ago
README e8b47b4745 Added some new readmes at the top level. 19 years ago
TODO e8b47b4745 Added some new readmes at the top level. 19 years ago
TakeAction 58251a16dc Several modifications and additions 32 years ago

README

# $Source$
# $State$

Installing the ACK on a modern platform
=======================================

This document provides some very quick and dirty instructions for installing
the ACK on a modern platform. It is not intended as a substitute for the
real instructions, which can be found in doc/install.pr.

Let me repeat myself:

THE FULL INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN doc/install.pr.

The ACK is a very large and complex package and has received minimal
maintenance for the best part of a decade. During that time, the Unix
world has moved on, and many APIs have changed. It compiles cleanly on
my, dtrg's, test machine, which is a Debian Ubuntu Linux system. Your
mileage may vary.

All disclaimers now done, now on to the good stuff:

Building the ACK
----------------

I'm assuming you're using Linux here, because that's what I use. If you
don't use Linux, please let me know if you have any trouble and I'll update
the instructions.

1. Configure the build.

To do this, run the first/first script. You will be asked several
questions.

* What is the root of the ACK source tree?

This is the directory that you have unpacked the distribution into.
For example, /home/dg/src/Ack-5.6.

* What is the root of the configuration tree?

This is the directory that the build process will use for temporary
files. You'll only need this during the compilation process; it can
be removed afterwards.
For example, /tmp/ack-conf

* What is the root of the ACK binaries?

This is the ACK's installation path; where the binaries will live.
This needs to be writable during the build process --- if you want
to install in /usr/local, you either have to make /usr/local
writable or compile as root. Sorry!

* What is your system type?

Linux isn't on the list. Choose ANY.

* Is this the system you are running on?

Yes.

* Are you satisfied?

Yes.

* What default machine do you wish to compile for?

The ACK wants to know what architecture to target if you don't manually
specify an architecture. Unfortunately, it can't generate runnable
binaries for Linux or any other modern system (except possible Solaris
on Sparc). I'd recommend you choose em44. This will produce portable
binaries using the ACK's intermediate format, which you can run using
the int interpreter.

* What kind of Unix are you running?

Linux is a mixture, but I pick SYS_5 and it works.

* Do you wish to limit the installation?

No. If you pick Yes, the script will ask detailed questions about
exactly what you want to build. Modern systems are fast enough that
we may as well build everything.

* Which system call library do you wish to use on the VAX?

I don't have a VAX; the only person I know who has one uses it to vacuum
his carpets. I pick libsysV_2 with no ill effects.

If the configuration script is happy, it will generate a script called
INSTALL.

2. Do the compilation.

The configuration script will recommend a command line. Execute this. On
modern systems, the compilation doesn't take long.

Check the output of the configuration script for "Failed" lines. On my
system there are two:

$ grep Failed INSTALL.out
Failed for Intel 8080 download programs, see dl/Out
Failed for Intel 8080 support

You can ignore these. They aren't important.

3. Use the ACK.

Ensure that the ACK's binary directory is on your path; this is /bin in
the directory you specified during the configuration process. In my
example, this is /usr/local/bin. The /man subdirectory should go on your
manpath.

To test your path, do: ack

This should return silently.

To test your manpath, do: man ack

This will produce the documentation for the main compiler driver.

If this works, you can remove the conf tree (/tmp/ack-conf in my example).

Gotchas
-------

There are some things you should be aware of.

* The ACK's archiver tool is called 'arch'. This conflicts on Linux platforms
with a utility that displays the current architecture. If your compilation
occasionally fails obscurely and displays something like 'i686', you are
running afoul of this. As a workaround, rearrange your path so the ACK's
bin directory comes first --- but do be aware that some Linux system
tools may stop working.

* By default, the ack tool will compile K&R C. Practically all C source these
days is ANSI C --- use the -ansi switch to enable ANSI mode. No, the ACK is
not C99 compatible.

* Not all combinations of optimisation and architectures work. This is
perfectly normal, but the combinations are not well documented. Everything
supports -O.

Disclaimer
----------

The ACK is mature, well-tested software, but the environment in which it was
developed for and tested under is rather different from that available on
today's machines. There will probably be little in the way of logical bugs,
but there may be many compilation and API bugs.

If you wish to use the ACK, *please* join the mailing list. We are interested
in any reports of success and particularly, failure. If it does fail for you,
we would love to know why, in as much detail as possible. Bug fixes are even
more welcome.

The ACK is licensed under a BSD-like license. Please see the 'Copyright' file
for the full text.

You can find the mailing list on the project's web site:

http://tack.sourceforge.net/

Please enjoy.

David Given (dtrg on Sourceforge)
dg@cowlark.com
2005-06-24, 23:53

# Revision history
# $Log$
# Revision 2.2 2005-06-24 23:20:41 dtrg
# Added some new readmes at the top level.
#